Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-04-15
A DISTINGUISHED VISITOR
The President of the Northern Pacifi
Railroad in Santa Cruz

Railroad in Santa Cruz.
We copy the following from the Santa
Cruz, Cal, Daily Sentinel of March 70
1887:
The palace car "Wanderer' arrived in
TINS CITY from Monterey on Tuesday morn
ing with Frederick Billings of Vermont
eX-presldent OF the Northern Pacific rail
loat; anu aU present chairman of its ex-
ecutlve committee, and Mrs. Billjnps,s
three daughters and son and tutor. 10
attend the wants of the party are maid
a COOK and two porters The car is at The
broad guage depot, and Is one of the finest
onat mas ever been in this city. 1t was
vate use, and is handsomely furnished with
all the modern conveniences Mr. all
lings's object in travelling around is
mainly for the benefit of his sons health.
He has been in the State for the past two
months, spending most Of the time in
Southern California. He is an old Cali.
tfornan, having been in early days in the
law business in San Francisco Twenty
i've years ago he and Mrs. Billings came
TO Santa Cruz from San Francisco in a
buggy. He at that time negotiated for
the purchase of the property now owned
by J. f. Christal, but then the property
OF w. G. Bartlett. Gen. Halleck, his part
ner, was on the point of purchasing fsbel
Grove when death interviewed, calling the
general to his "long home"
Mr. Ri lings always had fondness for
Santa Cruz, and sees for it a prosperous
future. He predicts great railroad adj
vancement for this State and a big tide of
immigration
He has a residence in New York and a
country seat of 1000 acres in Vermont
10 the Vermont University he presented
the Marsh library and buildings. The
value of these generous gifts is $l50,O00
In politics he is staunch republican
and Blaine man. However, he thinks
that ticket headed by John Sherman of
ONO ana Chauncey Depew of New York
would sweep the country, but has his
doubts about Depew accepting the second
place. Mr.. Billings nominated Senator
hdmunds of Vermont for the presidency
IN the republican national convention of
1850. He thinks that Edmunds is out of
the night, as he has no chance of securing
the coyeted nomination He predicts a
republican victory in the next presidential
contest.
In person Mr.. Billings is a heavy-set
man with large head resting on pair
of broad shoulders. His eye is keen, and
his manner pleasant and agreeable. He
Is gentleman who will make friends
wherever he goes, as he is plain and unas-
suming
Among the visitors to the car Monday
afternoon was II, H. Hall, who was ac-
quainted with him 81 years ago, DR.. Park
en- Mayor Effey, Duncan Mcpherson and
Sentincl representative. Mr., Billings
and Mr.. Hall enjoyed a pleasant hour
chatting over old times in the Green
Mountain State, recalling to mind boysh
pranks, and bringing up the names of old
acquaintance, some living and others
long since departed.
Mr. Billings says that the Northern Pa
cfic will connect with San Francisco very
soon. AS an evidence of mis- power in the
financial world it might be well to men
ton that 1t was he, as the first president
of the Northern Pacific, who secured a
loan of 10000, 600 on the company's bonds.
We learn, from another source, that Mr..
Billings expects to reach home in the early
part of May.